At the center of the Bernabéu Stadium, the players from both teams occupied their respective halves, engaging in intense pre-match warm-up activities.
Sunlight streamed through the giant arch above the stadium, casting golden patches of light on the pitch.
Lin Feng stood in his half, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the opposite side.
The Real Madrid players, clad in their pristine white jerseys, appeared exceptionally dazzling under the sun.
Every one of their movements seemed so fluid and natural, as if they were showcasing their skills and style to the fans.
Lin Feng's gaze swept over them one by one, finally settling on a few of the star-studded players.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar who once stirred up a storm in the football world, his agile physique and sharp eyes left Lin Feng in awe.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, they also possessed world-class skill and speed, important weapons in Real Madrid's attack.
And Sergio Ramos, the solid defensive leader, his presence made Real Madrid's defense impregnable.
Previously, Lin Feng could only watch the brilliant performances of these stars on television, but now, they were less than 100 meters away from him.
This close proximity made Lin Feng feel both excited and nervous.
He knew that today he would have the opportunity to compete with these world-class players on the same field, a rare opportunity and a huge challenge.
As the stadium staff's reminder, the players stopped their warm-up activities and began to gather towards the player tunnel.
Lin Feng's heart pounded rapidly in his chest; he could feel the tension and excitement brought by the upcoming match.
As Lin Feng walked into the player tunnel, he unexpectedly found Cristiano Ronaldo right beside him.
The presence of the Portuguese superstar was like an insurmountable mountain; his every movement, every gaze, revealed an extreme desire for victory.
Lin Feng felt the pressure from Ronaldo, an invisible force, powerful and pure.
He seemed to hear the voice deep within Ronaldo's heart, a belief that never gives up and always pursues excellence.
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere became tense.
Head Coach Escribá stood before the players, his gaze firm and profound, as if he wanted to see through everyone's innermost thoughts.
"Players, this is the match we've been waiting for," Escribá's voice echoed in the locker room, carrying an undeniable power.
His words revealed the importance he placed on the match and also expressed his trust in the players.
He continued, "I know that facing an opponent like Real Madrid, pressure is inevitable.
But I want you to remember that pressure is also motivation.
It allows you to be more focused and sharper on the field.
So, don't be afraid of pressure; learn to use it."
Escribá's gaze swept over the players' faces one by one, finally resting on Lin Feng.
He nodded slightly, indicating his encouragement and recognition of Lin Feng.
"Of course, the most important thing is to enjoy the game," Escribá changed his tone, his voice softening.
"No matter the outcome, we will bear it together.
Because we are a team, a whole.
Victory belongs to each and every one of us, and failure also belongs to each and every one of us."
"Now, let's go and enjoy this match together!" Escribá said at last.
His voice was full of passion and anticipation, as if he could already see the players fighting hard on the field.
After Head Coach Escribá's inspiring speech, an unusual atmosphere permeated the Villarreal locker room.
The players' faces were filled with determination and fighting spirit, as if they had transformed into unyielding warriors, ready to fight bravely on the battlefield.
Despite being at a disadvantage compared to Real Madrid in terms of paper strength and market value, this did not diminish their desire for victory.
On the contrary, this desire grew even stronger in their hearts.
They knew that to face a powerful opponent like Real Madrid, only by giving their all could they create a miracle.
"We'll work hard together, fight together!" Lin Feng muttered to himself.
He believed that as long as they were united and played their best, they would surely be able to create a miracle and defeat the mighty Real Madrid.
As the Villarreal players stepped into the player tunnel, they found themselves in a dazzling sea of stars.
Real Madrid's players, like brilliant stars, emitted a dazzling light.
Lin Feng could even clearly hear Ramos and Varane's relaxed conversation; their tone revealed confidence and composure about the upcoming match.
This atmosphere made the Villarreal players feel both nervous and excited.
Nervous because they knew they were about to face one of the world's top teams; excited because they had the opportunity to showcase their talent on such a stage and prove their strength to the world.
"Guys, this is our stage!" Ronaldo's voice was loud and powerful, echoing in every corner of the player tunnel.
His gaze swept over his teammates' faces one by one, as if to transmit his belief and fighting spirit to them.
He continued, "Remember, every match is a battle.
We must go all out, leave no regrets.
No matter the outcome, we must be proud of our efforts."
As Cristiano Ronaldo's inspiring speech concluded, the Real Madrid players' fighting spirit was completely ignited.
They surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo, patting each other's shoulders and backs, emitting low and powerful shouts, as if declaring their determination and strength to the world.
The Villarreal players stood opposite, feeling the powerful aura from the Real Madrid players.
But they did not back down, because they also had a desire and belief in victory.
They knew that only on such a stage could they truly prove their strength and value!
At this point, the tension in the player tunnel reached its peak.
Led by the referee, both teams' players, like warriors, walked out of the tunnel with firm steps, heading towards the battlefield that belonged to them.
Lin Feng stood in the Villarreal team, taking a deep breath of the smoke-filled air, feeling the arrival of the impending battle.
Seeing both teams' players enter the field, the enthusiasm of nearly seventy thousand fans in the stands instantly ignited.
They waved team flags, shouted their team's name, and the cheers they emitted were like surging, deafening waves.
Lin Feng stood on the field, clearly feeling the shock of this sound wave.
He looked around, only to see a sea of people in the stands, the fans' faces filled with anticipation and passion.
Their voices converged into an invisible force, as if they could inject endless energy into the players.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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